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Inclines

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  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 21, 2004 4:23 PM
Thank you guys Sooooooooooooo much..Tim
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
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Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Saturday, February 21, 2004 3:39 PM
A picture is worth a thousand words......



This is a 10' diameter helix that I am building to allow the trains to climb 48" at about a 2% grade. Each 360 degree turn has about 32' of track, and gains 8". The blue line on the wall is 72' off the floor. The 1x4 at the bottom is 24" off the floor, I have two more turns to go to get to the top.

Lionel trains could maybe do twice this grade, but would not be able to pull very many cars.

Grade % is calculated as units rise per 100 units run. 8' is almost 100", so 2" rise in 8' is just under 2%. 4% should be the maximum practicle grade for models of any size.
  • Member since
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  • From: Watkinsville, GA
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Posted by Roger Bielen on Saturday, February 21, 2004 3:08 PM
An old standard was 1/4" of height for each foot of track. There are a number of variables to take into consideration: type of engine - traction tires, magnitraction, nothing, power; weight of the consist being pulled; etc..

With the height that you're considering a spiral/helix could be used, especially if you don't have 160' of straight run. You could experiment by taking a length of board, maybe 12', attaching some track and test your engine at different angles until you find your max..

Roger B.
  • Member since
    April 2003
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Inclines
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 21, 2004 2:37 PM
Does anyone have a formula ( or experience) for inclines. I want to travel 43" in vertical height and my question is how many feet of track will I need to do this comfortably? I am not worried about scale but want the locos to be able to climb and descend comfortably. Thanks...Tim

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